September 20, 2024

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Chuck Fletcher of the Philadelphia Flyers attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Flyers had approximately $2.08 million of cap space as trade deadline day began, per Cap Friendly. With that being said, it was unlikely the Flyers would move JVR’s contract, as many NHL teams were in the same situation as the Flyers, in regards to the cap. What Fletcher could do was add a player that brings Cup experience, and that could really help aid the youth on this team with a 6’3″ 206 pound, Center/Winger in Derek Grant, in exchange for Kyle Criscuolo and a 2020 fourth round pick.

Grant is an intelligent hockey player. He is strong defensively, and is a journeyman in the NHL. He doesn’t have the best skating abilities, but he can pot goals in tight spaces, and is tough to move off the puck. Grant is a two-way player that possesses puck skills, and has a keen hockey sense. For his efforts, Grant can kill penalties, and he can really score some big goals on the Power Play.

This 29-year-old in Grant is a solid versatile, bottom 9 player that plays the game the right way, and is good in the locker room. He could also play in the top six if need be. Moreover, Grant will fit in well in Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s system, as he is a defensive first type of player. However, Grant can pot a big goal or two, as well. For the season, he has registered 14 goals, and 6 assists for 20 points in 49 games played.

The former Duck in Grant is in the final year of his contract, and currently has a cap hit of $700,000, per Cap Friendly. There were some good things about making this type of trade for Grant. One was Grant provides Cup experience from his days with the Nashville Predators, and the second is this Flyers team didn’t part with a player within their current lineup. Grant is also versatile, and can play anywhere within the lineup. Shoot he might even play Wing tomorrow night.

With the uncertainty to Nolan Patrick, and the loss of Oskar Lindblom being felt within the lineup. Grant is a huge asset for this young Flyers team. Even if and when Patrick returns, Grant could still plug a hole as a fourth line Center or Winger, thus giving Head Coach Alain Vigneault four really solid lines to work with.

6 thoughts on “Here’s The 411 On Flyers New Versatile Center Derek Grant

  1. look what pit did wow flyers chances just got tougher. get something someone for ghost he’s not playing anyway

  2. That’s what I said Ghost hasnt played and the D has been playing pretty well without him and the rumors that he isn’t playing as he can under AV’s coaching. They needed to get a serious game changer with the way Penguins,Islanders,Caps,Bolts, and Car have added some serious players. Just seems like it’s a Philly thing where their scared to take a risk. It’s one thing if we were chasing far behind. But 3pts from 2nd and 5 from 1st in the Metro out of all divisions. They could of even got Grant still w/ his $700,000 cap and traded for Kovalchuk w/ a $700,000cap. They could of sent a 3rd rd pick to get Kovalchuk instead of Thompson with a 5th rd pick. Grant and Kovalchuk are better scorers and that’s what Flyers need they also need some Physicality cuz the Bolts man handled the Flyers the other day and yea they all are bigger guys and have experience but I’d rather have Kov over Thompson anyday and wouldn’t of cared about the 3rd round or the 5th round. But would of loved to have Fletcher show some guts and go big like Hoffman or would of loved

  3. I really hope that we move Ghost at the draft, in order to get back crucial assets in next summers deep draft! So let”s hope that Ghost”s value will rise even little bit before summers draft!

  4. Totally against moving Ghost. He was lost under previous staff. AV will fix him over long haul. Look what he did with all #93 bad habits. If you insist on trading him, then over summer is time. He needs to show he is recovered from knee. I personally am against it. Can never have enough good defenseman. Plus the is 26 for God Sake. Just my opinion.

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